This past weekend they opened the splash pad at our local zoo. It was the perfect day to welcome my absolute favorite season. summer! We packed our bags, bathing suits and soaked up every minute splashing around under the giant wales and pine trees. I think living in Nebraska has given me a deep appreciation for the fun that comes with every change in season. This summer, we are determined to spend every second we can outside, eating all of the popsicles and hitting all of our local splash pads.
It took Haddon just a few minutes to acclimate to the water and the screaming children all around, but once he figured out how to join them, he did!
Grace is such a good big sister. She spent most of her time at the “little kids” section of the splash pad patiently waiting for an opportunity to hit up the whale section with all the kids her age. 
One of the things Alex and I love the most about living in the Midwest is seeing all of the beautiful pine trees everywhere. In Florida, we only see pine trees at Home Depot during Christmas time and all of the splash pads are lined with tropical palm trees. Our friends from church have a swimming pool with a huge pine in the yard. It was something we’d never seen before, it took us a while to process. 
Whenever we are all out and about, we have one family rule. We all stick together. I love seeing the kids help one another, play together and genuinely care for each other. It’s the sweetest thing and makes my mama heart so happy. My hope for them is that they’d have a wonderful relationship as they get older.
One of my goals this summer is to see this little boy laugh and smile with all of the excitement that he’s showing in this picture. I have to tell you when he is truly excited, he has the most contagious laugh ever. I want to bottle up that sound and carry it with me for whenever I need a reminder of how good life is.
Emory wore Grace’s old bathing suit. It fits super big on her, but we couldn’t find her actual suit. I’m pretty sure it’s in a box somewhere. It probably ended up there after our Florida trip and we haven’t gotten it out to play since. Needless to say, I am determined to find it.
Alex and I couldn’t take our eyes off this picture. She’s basically 12 and getting ready for her high school graduation and ready for grad school. She’s so grown up and seeing pictures like this one sure remind me of that fact. Can we please just tell time to chill the heck out? 
Gosh I just love them.
There’s not much more to say other than Hey there summer… please stay a while.
Here’s to sunblock, wet bathing suits, and laughter that lasts way past all of our bedtimes!
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